Quail nesting early

The Scaled Quail often don't leave their coveys and pair up until summer rains begin, but with an abundance of April rain they've paired up already.

I simply cannot resist taking photos of Pyrrhuloxias. They're not only gorgeous, they're everywhere.

Lark Sparrows only come through during migration, but are really pretty sparrows.

Woodpecker at work

This male Ladder-backed Woodpecker has been excavating for days making a nesting cavity in an old agave stalk.

You can see the chips flying as he discards them.

He paused a moment to pose for me, or to eye me suspiciously, whichever way you want to look at it.

Then it was back to work.

April showers

It's unusual for us to get much rain in April, but on the 15th we got enough that the arroyo ran a bit and I caught some water in my dirt tanks. Here I'm pumping it into one of my concrete tanks. However, as much as I patched on the tank, it still leaks. I'll work on it some more next winter. Meanwhile, I should have plenty of water to lavish on my oasis until summer rains begin. (Click to enlarge.) The close end is the deepest and now has about 8 feet of water in it. The far end has about 5 feet.

Below is a wildlife pond that got some much needed water diverted into it. The water will clear up in a few days.

Last but not least, is my huge tank that doesn't leak. It's brimful and 9 feet deep.

Trans-Pecos Rat Snake

I always enjoy seeing this snake species at my oasis. This one today was so long I couldn't get it all in the frame no matter how I tried.

Odd looking birds

Something must be blooming because this female Black-chinned Hummingbird sure has a lot of pollen on her forehead today.

My first yellow House Finch.

Western Bluebird

On March 16th I had an Eastern Bluebird, so when I saw this one yesterday I just assumed it was an Eastern. Shame on me. It's a Western.

Exciting time of year

I just couldn't resist taking more Lucifer Hummingbird photos this morning. This awesome male posed in the Apricot Tree near where I was filling the hummingbird feeders.

Christmas Mountains' Christmas

My goal of taking a better photo of the Grasshopper Sparrow than the one I posted yesterday may not have been achieved (you be the judge), but I sure had fun trying. 

And while I was at it, I captured a few other birds with my camera. It got confusing at times with many dozen sparrows of at least 12 sparrow species flitting around. Here is a Cassin's that sang briefly.

And a couple spizellas (Clay-colored & Brewer's)

Today I saw my FOS female Lucifer Hummingbird. She seemed to welcome me with open arms, but it may have been the feeder she was happy to see.

Grasshopper Sparrow today

My goal for tomorrow is to get a better photo of  this Grasshopper Sparrow that showed up at my oasis today. Meanwhile, this one will have to do.

Bluebird heralds spring

Every day is Christmas in the Christmas Mountains. Interesting birds are starting to visit my oasis on their way north. Today I had a beautiful male Vermillion Flycatcher that I never got close enough to to get a decent shot of, but I did get quite a few of an Eastern Bluebird when it perched above my water feature.